President's Message - Spring 2014

A few weeks ago, Sandy and I had the privilege to visit with alumna Carrie Coon ’03 in New York City, and it was truly a joy to talk with Carrie about her passion for her chosen field – acting. It was heartwarming to hear how Carrie benefited from Mount Union’s commitment to the liberal arts, which afforded her the opportunity to explore pursuits – like theatre – beyond her chosen majors.

Thanks to her innate curiosity and Mount Union’s ability to help cultivate her interests, today, Carrie finds herself well on her way down the road to success. The Tony Award-nominated actor has seen her “name in lights” on Broadway and in the credits of television shows, and now, she is taking the leap to the big screen. She has landed a role in the upcoming film “Gone Girl” in which she plays Margo, the twin sister of Ben Affleck’s character, Nick. The film is due in theaters on October 3.

Undoubtedly, Carrie is a model of alumni success, but she’s also a poster child for the liberal arts. An English and Spanish major while at Mount Union, Carrie spread her wings while on campus and explored all that the University had to offer. She played soccer and ran track, studied abroad in Spain and participated in a service-learning trip to El Salvador. All the while, she fostered her interest in theatre, both on stage and in the costume shop, nurturing it from a mere curiosity to a passion and now to a career.

Carrie is the consummate example of the benefits of a liberal arts experience and how such an education prepares students not just for an exciting career, but for a fulfilling life. For this very reason, Mount Union remains committed to transforming lives through the liberal arts as we prepare students for the future, and that will never change.